CHEK News - June 28, 2020

Summary

CHEK News: June 28, 2020 (Skye Ryan) "Podcast sparks new interest in cold case of Nanaimo's Lisa Marie Young"

source: https://cheknews.ca/podcast-sparks-new-interest-in-cold-case-of-nanaimos-lisa-marie-young-679296
clip: https://lisamarieyoung.ca/video/chek/cn20200628.mp4
archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20200713083811/https://cheknews.ca/podcast-sparks-new-interest-in-cold-case-of-nanaimos-lisa-marie-young-679296/

[Reproduced under Copyright Act (Canada) s.29.2 — Fair Dealing for the purpose of news reporting]

Video transcript

Nanaimo RCMP continue to plead with the public for more information regarding the disappearance of a woman who went missing almost 19 years ago.

Lisa Marie Young, then 21, went missing on June 30, 2002.* After spending time with friends at a downtown Nanaimo nightclub that evening, Young left to grab a meal and was last seen getting into a red Jaguar driven by a man.

On Saturday, Nanaimo RCMP held their first news conference about the case in years, outside of their detachment.

Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP media spokesperson, said during the press conference that he wished the event was being held to make a major announcement in the case, but that simply isn't the case. While foul play was immediately suspected after she went missing, no arrests have ever been made and her whereabouts remain a mystery.

Instead, he told reporters that with the 19-year anniversary of Young's disappearance fast approaching, investigators have been working hard over the years and continue to work the case.

"The reality is she has been missing for 19 years and she would have celebrated her 40th birthday earlier this year," he said. "We've had a number of investigators in 19 years work on this file and everyone their single goals was to find out what happened to her, hold those accountable for their actions and most importantly, to bring her home."

Cpl. Markus Muntener, lead investigator of the case, told reporters there have been "numerous" searches for Young conducted in the past year alone due to new information.

"Those searches were extensive in detail and we have more of those searches planned in the future at some point," he said.

Additionally, Muntener revealed that investigators have heard from multiple witnesses, who had previously not come forward, have also come forward.

"It took great courage for those people to come forward and provide information that is credible and important for the investigation," he said. "A lot of those people may not have been comfortable doing that early on in this investigation but through the course of time and changes in their circumstances, they have come forward."

However, despite whatever progress has been made, Young remains missing and Muntener pleaded with anyone who hasn't come forward with information to speak with investigators.

"For those people who haven't come forward, just knowing that other people have come forward and talked to us and provided us statements, should hopefully give you some peace of mind and give you the courage to come forward and talk to us and help move things forward," he said.

[Cpl. Markus Muntener of Nanaimo RCMP speaking with media about the Lisa Young case]

Const. Hailey Pinfold, who is also assigned to the case, said investigators have been approaching the case with an open mind.

"What we really want people to take away is that we are here to listen," she said. "We want anybody who thinks they might have any information, whether it be a small piece of information or the spoke to the police 18 years ago and they feel that they still have that piece of information, we are just asking that people come talk to us because we are here to listen."

After the press conference, a march from the Nanaimo RCMP detachment to Maffeo Sutton Park was held, followed by a series of speakers, including Young's grandfather Chief Moses Martin of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation; Mariah Charelson, vice-president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council; Nanaimo mayor Leonard Krog; MLA Sheila Malcomson and MP Paul Manly.

Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.

npescod@cheknews.ca

Website article

Podcast sparks new interest in cold case of Nanaimo's Lisa Marie Young

A large crowd of people marched together from the Nanaimo RCMP detachment Sunday, to warm up the cold case of Lisa Marie Young on the grim anniversary of when it all started.

"Everything we're doing is trying to get some brave people in our community to come forward," said Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcolmson. "Let the RCMP know what they know."

On June 30^th, 2002*, the petite, 21-year-old vanished while on a night out with friends in Nanaimo.

On Sunday, Young's family, friends, and those who've followed the case, marched through the streets of downtown Nanaimo; focused on sending a message that they know someone out there knows what happened to her.

"There's killers amongst us still ... who need to be brought to justice and who need to be accountable for what's happened,' said Kerry Chang, father of murdered Nanaimo teen Makayla Chang.

Young's story has garnered new attention since a podcast, "Where is Lisa?" was released by Laura Palmer.

"I'm up around 50,000 downloads for this podcast now," said Palmer, adding, "It tells me that this is a powerful story, that people still care about Lisa Marie Young and that people want justice for her and for her family."

Palmer believes the Young case is solvable, even after all these years.

"This case is solvable," said Palmer. "There are people in the community that have the answers and that 18 years on, its time."

Helen Joe attended the march because she knows what Lisa Marie's family is going through. Her sister Catherine Joe was found murdered in Duncan in 1977, and the case remains unsolved.

"It's really heartbreaking," said the Duncan woman. "It's a big nightmare you know, every time the phone rings," she said.

Kerry Chang's daughter Makayla was found murdered 3 years ago, and her case remains unsolved as well. Her dad, Makayla's murder will be Palmer's next podcast.

"We gotta keep the awareness out there," said Chang.

[image caption:] Watch: A large crowd gathered in Nanaimo Sunday to breathe life into the cold case of missing Lisa Marie Young. The 21-year-old vanished while on a night out with friends in Nanaimo 18 years ago this weekend and as our Skye Ryan reports those keeping her memory alive feel strongly that her mystery can be solved.